Tennessee Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerri Green is courting support from Democratic governors across the country, touting recent meetings and exchanges with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear as she campaigns for governor ahead of the November election.
“It was an honor to meet Governor [Tim Walz],” Green said in a post on X. “We talked about two things that are very important to both of us: building a better, more inclusive world for our special needs kids, and ending Marsha Blackburn’s career for good.”
“On November 3, I can’t wait to do both as the next Governor of Tennessee,” she added.
Green’s touting of her meeting with Walz comes as the Minnesota governor remains unpopular with voters in his home state, according to recent polling.
A SurveyUSA poll conducted in September found Walz’s approval rating at -14, with just 17 percent of respondents saying they “strongly approve” of his job performance and 24 percent saying they “somewhat approve.” Meanwhile, 13 percent “somewhat disapprove” and 42 percent “strongly disapprove” of Walz’s performance.
Green’s meeting with Walz comes as she has also publicized meetings with other Democratic governors, including Michigan’s Whitmer and Kentucky’s Beshear.
“It was incredible to meet Governor Whitmer, and I’ve long been inspired by her efforts to keep the issues impacting everyday people at the forefront,” Green said. She praised Whitmer’s “fix the damn roads” slogan and thanked her for her leadership of the Democratic Governors Association, which works to elect Democratic governors.
It was incredible to meet Governor Whitmer, and I've long been inspired by her efforts to keep the issues impacting everyday people at the forefront. Her slogan "fix the damn roads" reflects the energy we need to deliver results people can see in their communities. I'm grateful… pic.twitter.com/w9QvhZmvnM
— Jerri Green (@Jerri_M_Green) September 23, 2026
Green also thanked Beshear for his support, writing that the Kentucky governor “showed us that we can put people over party to elect a leader who fights for working people, not billionaires and culture wars.”
“Seven years ago, Kentucky shocked the world, and in November Tennessee can, too,” Green said.
Thank you to Governor Andy Beshear for your support. Just a state to the north of us, Governor Beshear showed us that we can put people over party to elect a leader who fights for working people, not billionaires and culture wars. Seven years ago, Kentucky shocked the world, and… pic.twitter.com/UUQ7r6DMty
— Jerri Green (@Jerri_M_Green) September 12, 2026
Green, who is backed by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), State Reps. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, and other far-left progressive members of the Tennessee General Assembly, has also received endorsements from organizations including Planned Parenthood, Indivisible Tennessee, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Tennessee Young Democrats, Tennessee College Democrats, and other progressive and labor organizations.
Green is set to face Blackburn and 13 Independent candidates in the gubernatorial election.
Early voting for the November 3 general election begins Wednesday, October 14, and runs through Thursday, October 29. The voter registration deadline is Monday, October 5.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
